Azuri Technologies, a pay -as-you -go solar solutions firm has raised $26 million led by Japan’s Marubeni Corporation with additional participation from existing shareholders, including IP Group plc to accelerate its growth plans in both East and West Africa and open up new opportunities for the business.

Azuri will use the funds to accelerate expansion in existing sub -Saharan Africa markets and roll-out its solar lighting, TV and additional services into new markets, with a focus on enhancing the lives of millions living without access to the grid.

“We are delighted today to announce the equity investment by Marubeni Corporation and existing shareholders. The entry of a leading player in the international energy market into this sector demonstrates the increasing maturity of off-grid power and its role in serving the 600 million people in Africa that still lack access to electricity,” said Simon Bransfield-Garth, CEO of Azuri Technologies.

Marubeni Corporation was founded more than 150 years ago and is now one of Japan’s largest trading firms with global interests across energy, manufacturing, trading and investment.

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The company has been investing in solar energy businesses for over 20 years. Since 2012, Azuri has been providing affordable pay -as-you -go solar home solutions to off-grid households across sub-Saharan Africa, with offices in Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.

“We believe that Azuri’s unique business model will have a profound impact on the growing off-grid energy market in Africa,” said Yoshiaki Yokota, Chief Operating Officer, Power Business Division at Marubeni Corporation. “The global energy market is evolving rapidly, with the introduction of new renewable technologies and energy -efficient devices. We are delighted to be a strategic partner of Azuri as a market leader and see their solar home solutions and services as catalysts for change in the Africa energy sector and beyond.”

Jamie Vollbracht, Partner at IP Group added: “As an early investor in Azuri, we are pleased with its growth to date, with over 150,000 systems sold, positively impacting off-grid households in Africa. Today we are delighted to welcome Marubeni to the business to help power the next exciting phase of growth for Azuri.”